Ranking the heavy hitters

Joe Joyce’s knockout of Joseph Parker last weekend shook up the heavyweight division. Here’s Stuff’s analysis of the top 10 big men in the ring.

Joe Joyce’s spectacular knockout of Joseph Parker last weekend sent shockwaves through the heavyweight division. The giant Brit made a huge statement by becoming the first man to stop the former WBO champion, putting him on the cusp of a world title shot.

Even Tyson Fury was impressed, proclaiming Joyce the No 2 heavyweight in the world, while Parker has had his credentials questioned amid calls to retire in the wake of his latest loss.

However, Joyce has backed his vanquished rival to ‘‘come again’’ and suggested he still belongs among the elite.

So where does Parker sit after the third defeat of his storied career? We list our top 10 heavyweights.

10. Frank Sanchez (20-0, 13 KOs)

Known as ‘The Cuban Flash’, Sanchez is one of several emerging contenders. The man from Guantanamo’s boxing skill was on full display when he outclassed his fellow prospect Efe Ajagba last year for the best win of his nascent career.

But he has faced criticism for often playing it safe rather than going for a crowd-pleasing knockout, as was the case in his previous outing against journeyman Christian Hammer. Aged 30, it’s time for Sanchez to step up his level of competition and see if he can compete with the best.

Best win: Efe Ajagba (UD, October 2021)

Next fight: Carlos Negron (October 15, 2022)

9. Martin Bakole (18-1, 13 KOs)

A regular training partner of Parker in Morecambe, the Congo-born, Scotland-based Bakole announced himself as a serious player with a onesided beating of Olympic gold medallist Tony Yoka in May.

Fighting Frenchman Yoka (11-1, 9 KOs) on his home turf, Bakole floored the favourite twice and dominated their 10-round clash.

Since his sole setback against Michael Hunter four years ago, Bakole has reeled off seven victories against some solid foes.

Bigger tests lie ahead, but the hardhitting Bakole is still learning his trade and will be a dangerous contender for years to come.

Best win: Tony Yoka (MD, May 2022)

Next fight: TBA

8. Joseph Parker (30-2, 21 KOs)

The former WBO champion’s six-fight winning streak came to a thudding halt against Joyce when he failed to beat the referee’s count in the 11th round of a classic heavyweight slugfest.

The battered Kiwi must go back to the drawing board and assess where he went wrong. But he shouldn’t be written off after one loss.

Another world title tilt may be a distant dream but there are still plenty of attractive fights for Parker – namely rematches with Whyte and Andy Ruiz Jr – that can restore his reputation.

Best win: Andy Ruiz Jr (MD, December 2016)

Next fight: TBA

7. Dillian Whyte (28-3, 19 KOs)

After waiting so patiently to challenge for a world title, Whyte apparently got a stage fright against Fury at Wembley, barely landing a glove on the WBC champion in a strangely subdued performance. It was Whyte’s second defeat in three fights (after avenging a loss to Alexander Povetkin) and the third time he’d been undone by an uppercut.

Like Parker, Whyte has no intention of hanging up his gloves and said he wants to be in big fights, regardless of whether titles are on the line.

Best win: Joseph Parker (UD, July 2018)

Next fight: TBA

6. Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KOs)

Coming off successive knockout defeats to Fury which severely dented his aura, Wilder will look to return to the win column when he meets Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KOs) in New York next month.

It’s a tough test that should give some indication of what the ‘Bronze Bomber’ has left in the tank aged 36.

From now on there will always be question marks over the brash

American’s fundamentals, but with a right hand that can end a fight in a flash he always stands a chance.

Best win: Wladimir Klitschko (11th round TKO, April 2017)

Next fight: Robert Helenius (October 15, 2022)

5. Anthony Joshua (24-3, 22 KOs)

There was a time when Joshua could do no wrong, winning a world title in only his 16th fight, making six successful defences, and unifying against Parker in front of 90,000 fans in Cardiff.

But his vulnerabilities were exposed by late replacement Ruiz Jr in New York in June 2019, dropped four times in a stunning upset.

Joshua rebounded to win their immediate rematch, only to lose his titles again to Usyk last year and was unable to win them back in a sequel last month, despite a much-improved performance.

But even without any titles around his waist, Joshua remains a huge draw. His willingness to take on all comers is admirable, although a third straight loss would be damaging to his brand.

Best win: Wladimir Klitschko (11th round TKO, April 2017)

Next fight: TBA

4. Andy Ruiz Jr (35-2, 22 KOs)

The former unified champion reminded the division that he is still a force to be reckoned with when he out-boxed twotime title challenger Luiz Ortiz over 12 rounds in Los Angeles last month.

Now 32, Ruiz Jr needs to remain active to stay in shape and get himself back in the title picture. He is blessed with fast hands and solid power but his conditioning remains a problem.

A clash with PBC stablemate Wilder has been mooted should the ‘Bronze Bomber’ get past Helenius next month. Beat him, and Ruiz Jr would put himself in a strong position.

Best win: Anthony Joshua (7th round TKO, September 2021)

Next fight: TBA

3. Joe Joyce (15-0, 14 KOs)

Can anyone stop the ‘Juggernaut’? Joyce continued his relentless march through the division with his brutal stoppage of Parker in Manchester last weekend.

The 37-year-old Joyce, a 2016 Olympic silver medallist, has now stopped 14 of his 15 opponents and looks a formidable challenge for anyone due to his extraordinary engine, thudding power and highly effective jab.

Best win: Joseph Parker (11th round KO, September 2022)

Next fight: TBA

2. Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KOs)

It was much closer this time, but Usyk still did enough to get the nod over Joshua in their rematch in Saudi Arabia, winning a split decision to retain his WBA, WBO and IBF titles.

The Ukrainian had to come through adversity in the ninth when Joshua had him badly hurt, but bounced back to sweep the last three rounds and extend his unbeaten run to 20 fights.

It was a remarkable display given the turmoil in his war-torn homeland which cemented Usyk’s reputation. The 35-year-old is now chasing a blockbuster with Fury for all the marbles next year along with a ‘‘freak’’ fight against Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, before hanging up the gloves.

He’s already certain of a place in the Hall of Fame but toppling Fury to become undisputed in a second weight class would elevate Usyk to legendary status.

Best win: Anthony Joshua (UD, September 2021)

Next fight: TBA

1. Tyson Fury (32-0-1, 23 KOs)

As expected, Fury had too much class for Whyte when he defended his WBC belt against his fellow Brit in April.

The victory underlined Fury’s status as the best heavyweight in the world, though his antics outside the ring have started to wear thin – from frequent retirements to aborted superfights.

Still, beating Usyk early next year to become the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis would secure Fury’s legacy as one of the modern day greats.

Best win: Deontay Wilder (7th round TKO, February 2020)

Next fight: TBA